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The Islanders don’t have much Stanley Cup experience, but they do have it where it counts – between the pipes.

Chris Osgood’s got two Stanley Cup rings from his days with Detroit. And Garth Snow, often overlooked because he’s the backup, stole the starting job from Flyer lifer Ron Hextall during Philadelphia’s drive to the 1997 Finals, only to be swept by Osgood’s Red Wings.

“That’s the plan,” said coach Peter Laviolette on getting Osgood hot for the playoffs. “But that’s not set in stone. Snowey’s going to get some games here coming up. And I’ve said it before, just for the record, I have and I think we have, as a group, a tremendous amount of confidence in Garth.”

Since Snow became an Islander, he’s given them stability in net, where he and Osgood halted a revolving door of journeymen and prospects. Gone are the Eric Fichauds, the Tommy Salos and the Hextalls that all filled the position for years as the Isles floundered and finished the season out of the playoffs.

But this season, things are different for the Islanders. And a lot of it has to do with their two goalies.

Recently nominated for the Masterton Trophy, the NHL award given to the player that most exhibits perseverance and dedication, Snow has handled his role in the shadows with grace and style. After all, Snow signed as a free agent with the Islanders last summer, thinking that he would be the man the No. 1 goalie until 20-year old Rick DiPietro was polished enough to take the reins.

That all changed when the Islanders selected Osgood with the first pick in the preseason waiver draft. It would have been easy for Snow to ask for a trade, sulk and fade out of the picture. When his older brother died of an illness earlier in the season, it would have been even easier for Snow to throw in the towel.

But that’s just the opposite of Snow’s personality. Instead, he befriended Osgood, embraced his role as a leader on the young Islanders roster, and flourished as one of the great personalities in the locker room.

On the road, Snow is often seen leaving the morning skate with Osgood in search of a place to eat. At the Coliseum, Snow’s always the first stick set against the wall outside the locker room, taped and ready to go. And earlier in the season when Raffi Torres was with the team, it was Snow that put the rookie over the coals for leaving practice early.

“Rookies aren’t supposed to be the first ones off the ice,” Snow said to him. “It works the other way around.”

Snow last saw action in the March 7 loss to the Sabres and has compiled an 8-6-2 record, including two shutouts in Philadelphia against his former team. It is expected he’ll see action this week with the Isles playing Ottawa at the Coliseum tomorrow and then in Toronto Thursday night.